Island country in East Asia. Situated off the east coast of Asia, Japan is an archipelago from which four islands stand out: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. The archipelago is bathed by the Sea of Okhotsk to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the east and south, the Sea of East China to the southwest, and the Sea of Japan to the west.
The main cities are Tokyo, the capital, with a population of 11 772 000 residents (1995), Yokohama (3 307 000 inhab.), Osaka (2 602 000 inhab.), Nagoya (2 152 000 inhab.), Sapporo ( 1 757 000 residents), Kyoto (1 464 000 residents), Kobe (1 424 000 residents), Fukuoka (1 285 000 residents), Kawasaki (1 203 000 residents), Hiroshima (1 109 000 inhab.) ) and Kita-Kyushu (1 020 000 inhab.).
Japan is characterized by its irregular relief, with a predominance of mountains, which orient themselves, from north to south, in the central area of the different islands. There are numerous volcanoes (54 in activity) due to the fact that Japan is located in one of the most geologically active areas on Earth, which is also the cause of numerous earthquakes and tidal waves ( tsunamis ) that occur in the country.
Climate
The differences in latitude, the influence of sea currents, the wind regime and the altitude and relief orientation contribute to the climatic diversity of Japan. In the North, under the influence of the cold Oia-Sivo current, the climate is cold, with very winters strict. In the Southeast, under the action of the hot Curo-Sivo current, the climate is subtropical. The action of monsoons is also stronger in the central and southern part of the archipelago, so in these areas, rainfall is high in the warmer months.
Economy
Japan has one of the most developed and prosperous economies in the world, largely thanks to the country’s performance in terms of industrial production and the financial sector, making Japan’s GDP the second largest in the world.
Japanese industry accounts for 40% of GDP, employing 34% of the population. The success of this sector is based on the leadership obtained in the naval, automotive, home appliance, synthetic fibers and electronic components industries, a leadership supported by the constant advance of Japanese technology. However, foreign competition has forced the sector to restructure and relocate, in search of cheaper labor. The tertiary sector is the one that has more weight in the Japanese economy, since it contributes 58% to GDP (in 1994), while the income from the primary sector means only 2% of GDP, as it happens in most very countries. industrialized. Despite the small cultivated area, Japan has developed modern agricultural techniques, namely small cultivators, which allowed the release of labor, together with a high profitability. Rice continues to be an important agricultural production, but the diversification of production has been a constant concern in order to reduce imports due to changes in eating habits also promoted by the Government. The high percentage of the urban population (78% in 1995) stimulated the intensification of agriculture and livestock. Agricultural production in greenhouses is one of the most significant aspects of change in the agrarian sector. On the other hand, the fishing activity is quite profitable, not only due to the modern fleet available, but also due to the existence of an advanced and well-structured fishing industry that operates mainly outside Japanese territorial waters, which may, in the future, cause problems for the sector.
Population
Japan has a high population density (337.23 inhab./km 2 ), since the area of the country, with only 377 835 km2, is occupied by 127 463 611 residents. The birth and death rates are, respectively, 9.37% and 9.16%. Average life expectancy is 81.25 years. It is estimated that, by 2025, the population will decrease to 120 235 000 residents. Japan is an ethnically homogeneous country, as the Japanese make up 99% of the population. Shinto (51%) and Buddhism (38%) are the most representative religions. The official language is Japanese.
- Countryaah: provides country profile of Japan, including its state flag, official language, population rankings, land area, history overview, summary of economy and culture as well as map of Japan.
- Abbreviationfinder: Comprehensive list of all abbreviations associated with Japan. Sorted by popularity. Also offers the 2-letter and 3-letter acronyms for what is the abbreviation for Japan.
Asahi Bank
Provides the latest news, financial results, and annual reports from this Japanese bank. Available in English and Japanese.
Website: http://www.asahibank.co.jp/ENGLISH.html
Asian Development Bank Institute
Look over the calendar of events and the newsletter before checking out the research agenda and networking opportunities.
Website: http://www.adbi.org/defaultnew.htm
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi
Learn about the bank’s services and read about its local and international branches.
Website: http://www.btm.co.jp_e.htm
Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank
Investigate Dai-Ichi Kangyo, the first bank established in Japan. Founded in 1873, the company now has 78 offices world-wide.
Website: http://www.dkb.co.jp/english/
Fuji Bank
Japanese bank offers news releases and an annual report. Find details regarding its strengths and international financial activities.
Website: http://www.fujibank.co.jp/
Fukuoka City Bank
Browse this Japanese bank’s five-year activities summary, read a message from its president, and survey its historical profile.
Website: http://www.fcb.co.jp/
Industrial Bank of Japan
Features corporate information, news releases, reports, and FAQs from this financial institution.
Website: http://www.ibjbank.co.jp/
Japan – Bank of Japan
Access sections on monetary policy, reports and statistics, research papers, and postings of new additions for this central bank of Japan.
Website: http://www.boj.or.jp/en.htm
Joyo Bank Limited
Read the five-year summary, find corporate data and a profile which describes the bank’s operations. Read the current annual report.
Website: http://www.joyobank.co.jp/joyobank/english.html
Norinchukin Bank
Features press releases financial reports, and downloadable documents in Japanese.
Website: http://www.nochubank.or.jp/
Sanwa Bank Limited
Major bank of Japan also is a player of the international finance scene. Access the details of its developments and financial statements.
Website: http://www.sanwabank.co.jp/english.html
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Japanese financial institution serves corporate and individual clients. Read the annual report and learn about its banking services.
Website: http://www.smbc.co.jp/global/
Tokai Bank Limited
Large bank is based in Nagoya, Japan and has subsidiaries in the US. Read its management reports, newsletter, and fiscal outlooks.
Website: http://www.csweb.co.jp/TBK/tkbehom2.htm